When bringing your 'books to travels

[nemcy]

hi, guys!

i'm coming home na in a few days (excited and "scared" about it too) almost all my stuffs are packed and have a carry on bag for my Precious but i'm still wondering... do i need to back up my files?

what is the TRUTH behind computers being scanned and passed into "xrays" for checking sa airports... ok lang ba yun? would it affect my Precious' system? naha-hassle-lan kasi akong mag-back-up ng files into CDs eh... clutters na excess load pa (and now i'm having problems fitting all my stuffs sa luggages ko). Hay! Nagsisisi ako na dapat nag-ipon ako and bought a decent external hard drive for back ups.

help guys... do i really, REALLY need to back up my files since for sure my Precious HAS to be x-rayed? Ngayon palang i could imagine the inspections and all sa ins and outs ng airports. Can someone also "warn" me of what to expect? I also heard that they're now taking photos and fingerprints of persons coming in and out of the US eh. Totoo ba ito? Mehn! With all those security checkpoints nakakalusot pa rin ang terrorism

thanks in advance, guys... it would be a big help in calming down one stressed and rattled soul.

[hoho]

Hi Nemcy,

X-Rays will not bother the files on your hard drive. Hard drives are affected by strong magnetic fields, but not by x-rays.

That being said, backing up your files is always a good idea, whether you a are traveling or not. It makes everything so much easier for you, knowing that all the important files are safe elsewhere.

Traveling from the US, expect the people at the security checkpoint at the airport to ask you to remove your laptop from it's bag, and put it on a separate bin. So get ready for that as you get closer to the x-ray machine. What I do is just take out my 'book from the bag and hold it in my hand before I get in line.

On occasion, you may be asked to boot up your computer, so just keep your 'book in sleep mode, so that it will minimize the time that you spend at the security checkpoint.

If you are flying PAL, they have a limit of 15lbs for your carry-on, just tell them politely that you have a laptop inside the bag, they may ask to see it. Just show them the laptop, and that should stop them from asking you to check it in as luggage.

As for fingerprinting and photos, yes, they do that for tourists.

Hope that helps.

H

[Edited on 8-13-2004 by hoho]

[nemcy]

thanks, H... your infos DID help. I'm flying NWA so most likely carry-on would be more than 15lbs. Sa Japan kasi hindi nila pinapatanggal sa bag yung laptop what about Digital Cams... is it safe na idaan sa Xrays too?

Originally posted by hoho
Hi Nemcy,

X-Rays will not bother the files on your hard drive. Hard drives are affected by strong magnetic fields, but not by x-rays.

That being said, backing up your files is always a good idea, whether you a are traveling or not. It makes everything so much easier for you, knowing that all the important files are safe elsewhere.

Traveling from the US, expect the people at the security checkpoint at the airport to ask you to remove your laptop from it's bag, and put it on a separate bin. So get ready for that as you get closer to the x-ray machine. What I do is just take out my 'book from the bag and hold it in my hand before I get in line.

On occasion, you may be asked to boot up your computer, so just keep your 'book in sleep mode, so that it will minimize the time that you spend at the security checkpoint.

If you are flying PAL, they have a limit of 15lbs for your carry-on, just tell them politely that you have a laptop inside the bag, they may ask to see it. Just show them the laptop, and that should stop them from asking you to check it in as luggage.

As for fingerprinting and photos, yes, they do that for tourists.

Hope that helps.

H

[Edited on 8-13-2004 by hoho]

[penmanila]

hi, nemcy--i've been travelling all around the world with my powerbook and digicam, and have never had a problem with x-ray machines or security. my powerbook is always in sleep mode; i often work on the plane and it's just so much easier.

your major concern should be keeping your laptop safe from thieves, as airports are among the most vulnerable areas in this respect. i never never let my laptop bag out of sight, even and especially in restrooms and restaurants, even among friends (who won't be looking after your machine, having their own concerns).

if you want to be doubly secure, back up at least your data; never mind the programs. losing a hard drive is survivable; losing your only copy of your data would be disastrous.

and no need to declare your laptop to customs when you come in; that's just "personal effects". welcome home!

[apol kopol]

i read in an old post (i just can't seem to find it)... they said to take that anti-static wrap that came with the 'book. they said it helps protect the 'book specially when passing thru the xrays.

is this true?

[quicksilver]

if i remember my physics, anti-static wrap cannot stop x-rays. as far as i can recall, only lead can stop x-rays.

[apol kopol]

that's why i didn't know about it, darn info's in physics!... i hate physics, hehehe...

you're so smart

thanks ha

Originally posted by quicksilver
if i remember my physics, anti-static wrap cannot stop x-rays. as far as i can recall, only lead can stop x-rays.

[Edited on 10-8-2004 by apol kopol]

[PatrickGaerlan]

For anyone planning to travel with their Macs in tow, O'Reilly MacDevCenter.com has a 5-part series that should prove to be very informative:

1. Mac OS X for the Traveler, Part 1

2. Mac OS X for the Traveler, Part 2

3. Mac OS X for the Traveler, Part 3

4. Mac OS X for the Traveler, Part 4

5. Mac OS X for the Traveler, Part 5

[Edited on 10-8-2004 by PatrickGaerlan]

[elbert]

I wouldn't worry about x-rays and electronic products. in fact, even if you have a film camera, you won't need to worry about exposing unprocessed film as almost every airport x-ray machine in the world is film safe.

The following is a repost from the old PhilMUG.

---------------------------------------------------------

I travel quite frequently too. I agree, mobility rocks, especially when you hit airports that offer free WiFi access.

Here are a few tips:

A Notebook Security Cable is a good investment for any traveller. On long stop-overs in airports, I would go to the extent of locking my laptop to my baggage when in use.

Make sure to fully charge that Powerbook and leave it in sleep mode. Screeners will surely ask you to turn it on when going through security and having it on sleep will save you a lot of time (and hassle).

The trip is long enough for you to run out of juice early on. If you want to extend battery life, keep the display as dim as possible. It's also a good idea to create a new Location in Network Prefs that has all the ports inactive. If you are going to watch a DVD or VCD, mirror the entire disk on your hard drive (a spinning DVD or CD is a real battery drainer). If you are just listening to iTunes, dim the screen completely.

It's also a good idea to have the power adapter with you in hand carry. I usually plug in to any wall outlet I see in the airport prior to take off (to ensure I get the max amount of juice on the plane).

[Edited on 10-9-2004 by elbertc]

[apol kopol]

awesome!

thanks for the tips PatrickGaerlan and elbertc